Smith and Delaney are nowhere near the standard I'm afraid..

Keep Cressie at the back, but we need to start again defensively.

well if thats what he wants then perhaps he should have got some defenders that can actually defend rather than part-timer Carlos and two lefties that havent exactly done too well to date!! To say that he's been trying to address for long time is total crap as he's missed so many players that other clubs have taken in the same time.

It's all well and good saying that, but we need 2CB's, a RB, and a GK.

What's the point in the comment when four of the main five defensive players are not up to standard!

He should be saying; Our current defensive players (save AC) are rubbish can I have some more please!

We do need more defenders and to be fair to Jewell he has tried, if people remember in the summer he had said that he'd tried to get Woodgate and Upson. They didn't come but we did manage two other big name players in Bowyer and Bullard so you can't blame him for trying, as big name players do drop down to the championship before their careers have finished (remember Fowler and Hasselbaink at Cadiff a few years back) He tried to get St Ledger and Pearce in the January window and did manage to land Ingimarsson who had always been a good defender, so why he became rubbish over-night is a mystery.
But, we do need a complete overhaul at the back although you've got to love us Town fans, one moment Smith and Edwards are rubbish, then they're great but now after poor performances they're rubbish again. Although I'd say that Edwards shouldn't still be playing there, he tries but not a natural RB, a position that we have't filled in two years since David Wright left and Tommy Smith is still only 21, he has the ability and potential to be our next De-Vos.

Anybody who criticises Carlos should carry Cresswell in the same boat. What Carlos lacks in tackling is made up by what Cressy lacks in pace. If Jewell wants us to defend better then why does he pick 2 wingbacks? If he wants out and out defenders then purchase traditional full backs. Big Damien and Smith on the whole have done OK. Yes they have had a several bad moments here and there, but it sure is difficult defending if there is only the 2 of you.

Jewell has to make up his mind which way he wants to go, either stay set up as we are at the moment or change the entire team into a more defence minded one. In all fairness the second option was what our previous manager did and then struggled with us scoring.

As for what I think he should do. Well I think we have the basis for a very strong side. I would perhaps bring in another centre half and pair him with either Damien or Smith. I like most of our midfield. Martin has been a revelation in the free role, which has also helped JET express himself. Not forgetting how well Murphy has flayed down the flank. Drury and Leadbitter have been excellent lately and Bowyer has played well earlier on occasions between injury spells. But I feel that we need another central midfielder, especially if Leadbitter leaves. It is difficult to add in other players without changing the whole system completely. Chops has done well most of the time up top on his own, as has Scotland. Perhaps we could do with another up and coming striker with lightning pace as an alternative option or perhaps a big centre forward for when we play 2 up top.

Have to agree with Bashblue.Our back four has been poor for along time. Pj ur getting the team playing well but you must sort this problem during the summer or we will have the same problema again next season.

Anybody knows that conceeding 2/3 goals a game ain't gonna get you promoted. In any sensible club it would get you the sack.

So what is he saying, Delaney and Smith are the men for the job. If not why diidn't he get Pearce?

Apart from the whole team not defending as a unit it must put a big question mark over his backroom staff who haven't made any improvement in our defensive play.

CHris Hutching has a reputation for teams that let in goals, let someone else put up with his coaching.

Our defending has been pretty poor since Burley stopped playing 3-5-2.

No Sh*t sherlock.

Actions speak louder than words.

Did anyone see the crap defending by the possible defenders that ITFC were trying to get? well if they are as good as that then keep them no better than what we already have.
Come on guys be positive not a bad run recently so cannot complain really everyone has a bad game.

It was the first game I got to in quite a while at the weekend, and the defensive frailties were clear for all to see. Not only were we extremely open at the back, but we struggled immensely to get the ball clear at times. That was down to the fact that our centre-backs are lacking in basic footballing ability. I mean that not in the sense that they cannot defend (although some might have something to say about that), but rather that they are useless on the ball. The amount of times Tommy Smith hacked the ball clear into the stands when a bit of composure would have seen him pick out a team mate was ridiculous. As for Damien Delaney, he is about as clumsy as Bambi. Edwards tries hard, but lacks basic defensive instinct, as his horrendous back pass clearly illustrated against Watford. Cresswell seems to be the only shining light in that back four, but even so, I questioned his positioning at times. I forgive him though, he's young and will learn. We need to forget about signing attacking players in the summer and simply replace that back line. Two centre backs who can start attacks off from the back, and a natural right back. I'm not suggesting we sell off young, promising players like Tommy Smith, but no way should we be relying on them right now. I don't envy Paul Jewell in that respect. Signing a defence that can gel and perform well together is a tough gig. I have always said that we should try to get someone like Kyle Bartley in. He is on loan at Rangers from Arsenal, so will not only have experience, but also will have received a proper footballing education. It will be hard work finding three defenders and a goalkeeper, but he needs to act quickly so that they have a whole pre-season to practice and get to know each others' games.

The second goal was a calamity from Edwards but I fail to see how a bad back pass shows evidence of his 'lack of defensive instinct'. It wasn't really anything to do about defending as such, he just didn't kick the football hard enough. It was terrible, but its happened to the best defenders in the world, sh*t happens.

First goal was a combination of a slow midfielders letting the ball get between them and the defence, and Smith's inexperience telling him to go to the ball (reminded me of what he did twice for both Ricky Lambert's goals at Portman road) meaning the line of defence was then not straight, meaning Deeney could get between him and Delaney without being worried about the offside flag. He probably couldn't believe his luck. After that I really have no idea what Delaney was thinking, he was the man in possession, just kick the damn thing out for a corner! After he lost the ball we were always in trouble.

Smith has potential, but he needs proper coaching one to one.

Spot on Garv i agree that the problem extends beyond the defence BUT to go all season without permanent CBs and a proper RB is beyond me. The writing has been on the wall from the start but PJ aimed tooo high and as a reslut wasted valuable time. There are players out there, whetehr its in Prems reserves or good partnerships in lower leagues. Now we're treading water for rest of season PJ needs to get back to youth and pick Hyam etc and leave oldies on the bench until they go in May.

blah blah Jewell you haven't go a clue

Surely there are any plenty of of half decent players that would come to us. First two on the list would be the Gk from Burnley and the CB, Taylor from Watford. He was an absolute mountain of a man. Would be happy with both of these.

It's all very well touting names of defenders and keepers on here, but how will you make them sign?

You can take a horse to water, but can you make it drink?

Money.

Spot on again Garv.
I was at Watford on Saturday and we were pretty poor in the 2nd half but the fact is that Watford only won because of that one under hit back pass from Edwards, a mistake that most defenders will make at some time or another.
For me the disappointment was that we stopped passing the ball in the 2nd half. Too many times the ball was just hoofed upfield in panic mode instead of finding a team mate. When the subs practice at half time they do that little quick passing to feet routine with one player trying to nick the ball in the middle. As soon as one of the players lifts the ball (ie lacks control) the exercise nearly always breaks down. In the first half , when we were on top the passing was pretty good (either to feet or into the gaps) but that fell apart in the second half. It seemed pretty obvious to me Chops had to have the ball at his feet as Taylor, his marker is a giant and was always going to win the aerial ball.When we had our only good 2nd half spell ( after Watford's 2nd goal) we were at least trying to pass to feet and run into spaces (as Swansea have shown can work even in this division.
Hyam is definitely one for the future and I was pleased when he came on but he a couple of times caused good short passing passages to break down by not making the short pass on the deck but lifting the ball. He does need to work on his ball control.

Isn't Jamie Peters still on the payroll? He seemed to be OK at getting back and defending after coming forward

Play Hyam then!

As usual, when we lose , even after a good run , the same comments start appearing on here. I would be more worried if PJ was saying our defence was ok , but he's not. As stated by buryblue and elgin we have tried to sign at least Su or seven centre backs that haven't come off, for a variety of reasons. Yes its hugely frustrating , and I'm sure PJ is of the same opinion, but there is no point in signing any old CB just for the sake of it ( we have done that to an extent with sonko). Just cos someone has a one off good game against us is not a valid reason to sign them, I personally wouldn't want Taylor or Grant, and walberswick do u really want us to go out and throw money about?. We went down thst road brfore and it got us into administration, and I know for a fact you are one of the biggest mosners on here about , in your words " overpaid has beens". Yes we need two or three defenders, and yes it frustrating but PJ is trying and we need to be patient. If you can't see an improvement in our style if play, squad ability and togetherness since RK then some of you are watching a different team to me.

Dozzell, it's both frustrating and a touch worrying that we can't seem to close deals at the moment. Whilst I'm understanding of the fact as you say, throwing money around before got us into a mess, now more than ever is the time for investment if we have true aspirations to get to the Premier League. (I'm not talking silly money, but Magilton and Keane were given their fair share and I think PJ could find some great buys if money is made available.)
I don't particularly blame anyone for not getting the deals done as we don't know why they didn't happen. (apart from when Jewell admitted that the offers for the Pompey players had been accepted but the players demands were unrealistic)
Jewell has the ability to uncover good players from lower Leagues or low transfer fees such as Cresswell and Drury and hopefully Stevenson, (something Keane didn't manage to do) so let's hope that in the summer window he has already identified more such targets. As you say, there is a marked improvement over the RK days and long may it continue.

The needle has obviously stuck - ' we need to be more defensively minded' - thank goodness the season will soon be over, and we won't hear that again for a short while at least.
We've heard it for so long - don't be at all surprised if it is still ringing in the ears in August though.

Who cant close deals I wonder?

I disagree - we should be attack minded - let's please not go back to the days of isolated one up front strikers or Hull at home this season - where people were asleep in the crowd!

The problem here lies with PJ. He has 100% failed to address the GK and CB positions - this is despite having three transfer windows and 15 months. PJ knew McAuley was leaving last April - so almost a year on where is the replacement? Everyone knows you need to build a team from the back ... PJ on the other hand has relied on loanee keepers! Furthermore, Delaney and Smith were players in Roy's time at the club.

PJ has no one else to blame but himself. I have no faith he will address this issue in the Summer either. Despite some good recent results, it's been a poor season - which has seen us conceed the most goals in the league. In the past four games, we have conceeded two in three matches - only Burnley was a clean sheet - mainly because they didn't both to have a shot!

PJ will year on year deliever mid-table - credit for that. But he wont IMO move this club forward.